Puppy & Kitten Wellness

DA2PP (Distemper Virus & Parvovirus): Canine distemper is a devastating disease that causes fever, pneumonia, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and death. Canine parvovirus is highly contagious and exists virtually everywhere in the environment; preventing exposure in your puppy is virtually impossible. Parvovirus attacks the cells of your puppy’s GI tract, causing severe bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, weight loss, and death; it may also fatally attack the muscles of the heart.

Your puppy should receive their first wellness exam and DA2PP at 6-8 weeks of age. The DA2PP vaccine includes protection against canine distemper virus, parvovirus, parainfluenza and adenovirus type 1 and 2. Depending on their age at initial vaccination your puppy may need 2 or 3 vaccinations for DA2PP, each given 4 weeks apart. It is important that the last vaccine is given between 15-18 weeks of age, to provide full immunity.

• Puppies under 12 weeks of age should receive this vaccine three times, 4 weeks apart
• Puppies 12 weeks or older that have had no previous vaccinations should receive the DA2PP vaccine twice, 4 weeks apart
• Once your puppy reaches 2 years of age the DA2PP vaccine is given every 3 years

Rabies: Rabies is a devastating and fatal disease that affects our pets, wildlife, and even poses a threat to human health. Many people don’t know that the virus can incubate for up to a year after initial exposure before clinical signs occur; once symptoms begin death occurs within 10 days, and treatment is impossible. Infected animals suffer from hallucinations and displays of aggressive behavior. This progresses into paralysis (“foaming at the mouth” being caused by larynx paralysis and inability to swallow), respiratory paralysis, and death. Happily, infection can be prevented by vaccination.

The canine rabies vaccination is required by law in the state of New Hampshire. This vaccine is given once after 12 weeks of age. Your puppy will receive a booster vaccine after 1 year, then the vaccine is given every three years.

Bordetella: Kennel Cough is an infectious bronchitis of dogs characterized by a harsh, hacking cough. This bronchitis may be of brief duration and mild enough to warrant no treatment at all or it may progress all the way to a life-threatening pneumonia depending on which infectious agents are involved and the immunological strength of the patient. We vaccinate against one of the more common causative agents, Bordetella bronchiseptica. For puppies, vaccination provides good systemic immunity. We recommend receiving a booster vaccine every 6 months, especially if your dog will be going to dog parks, daycare, or boarding.

Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccination may not prevent infection. In some cases, vaccination minimizes symptoms of illness but does not entirely prevent infection.

Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is a disease that can affect human and animals, including your pets. All animals can potentially become infected with leptospirosis. This bacterium causes fever, vomiting, diarrhea, severe weakness, and acute renal failure. There are many different strains of leptospirosis, and although our vaccine protects against the most common serovars it does not offer 100% immunity. Your puppy will receive an initial vaccination at 12 weeks of age, then receive a booster 4 weeks later. Immunity lasts 1 year, so this vaccine should be boosted yearly.

Lyme: Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi which is transmitted by the bite of an infected tick. The incidence of Lyme disease in New England is extremely high, we are considered an endemic region of the country. Lyme disease in dogs has the potential to cause fever, lameness, and -rarely- kidney disease. We recommend your puppy receives and initial vaccination at 12 weeks of age, then receives a booster 4 weeks later. Immunity lasts one year, so this vaccine should be boostered yearly.

We don’t recommend taking your young puppy to public places until he or she receives at least two sets of vaccines. Use caution when visiting common areas such as dog parks and pet stores as risk of acquiring contagious diseases may increase.